IAN WRIGHT blasted Bruno Guimaraes for trying to “hurt” Jorginho.
The Newcastle midfielder was in the thick of the drama throughout the Toon’s controversial 1-0 win over Arsenal at St James’ Park.
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But it was his 45th-minute flashpoint with Jorginho that triggered anger for Wright and many others.
As tempers boiled over, Guimaraes made a late slide tackle that missed Ben White then got up to chase after the ball.
But as Jorginho passed across midfield, the Toon star caught him on the back of the head forcefully with his forearm, sending the Italian crashing to the ground in pain.
Referee Stuart Attwell and VAR Andy Madley decided no punishment was needed despite the seemingly cynical behaviour.
And that left Gunners legend Wright furious.
He raged: “There is no reason for him to be challenging Jorginho like this.
“Look how [far] away he is. The ball has gone. His arm doesn’t need to be up.
“I can’t understand why that isn’t a yellow card and they aren’t looking at that. He is trying to hurt him there.
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“You know something that could easily be given as a red card.
“What’s he doing? His intention is to hurt him. It’s not like it’s a challenge and your arm has flailed.
“The ball has gone, he has no reason to do that. None!
“He is lucky that he hasn’t caught him in the temple or something. It’s a bad challenge.”
Wright’s views were echoed by Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher who both described Guimaraes as “lucky”.
Bruno Guimaraes wants to give somebody a whack
Gary Neville
Neville said: “I’m not having that, he’s a very lucky boy.
“It’s just so unnecessary, it’s an arm/elbow in the head and the only reason is because he wants to give somebody a whack.”
Even Toon hero Alan Shearer appeared to admit Guimaraes got away with one when he tweeted: “Well done Ref. You’re the man.”
Guimaraes also escaped a yellow card for a forceful shove into Declan Rice, which appeared to leave a nasty scratch on the England star’s neck.
The Brazilian was eventually cautioned in the 88th minute for swiping a hand into Fabio Vieira.
Plenty connected to Newcastle, though, felt Kai Havertz should have been sent off for diving in on Sean Longstaff in the first half but only got a yellow.
There was more controversy when Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed to stand after a four-minute VAR check.
The finish was given after it was deemed Joe Willock had managed to keep the ball in play in the corner and there was no foul on Gabriel Magalhaes, no handball by Joelinton and Gordon was onside.
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However, the decision left Mikel Arteta apoplectic.
The Arsenal boss launched a stinging tirade and said: “We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace. That’s what it is, a disgrace.
“I’ve been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed.
“It’s a disgrace and there’s too much at stake here. We are trying to do incredible things and be at the highest level each week.
“The outcome is nowhere near the level this league needs to have and the way this league is getting competed in.”
In disgusting scenes following the match, though, both Guimaraes and fellow Magpies midfielder Joe Willock were subjected to vile racism on social media.
Both Newcastle and Kick It Out released statements slamming the horrific abuse.
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